Morgan Freeman is being slammed by followers for taking part on this yr’s Qatar World Cup opening ceremony on Sunday, and even narrated the opening phase within the Middle Eastern nation, which stands accused of steady human rights violations.
The 85-year-old actor kicked off the festivities on the Al-Bayt Stadium in Doha, in line with the Independent.
“We gather here as one big tribe and Earth is the tent we all live in,” the Oscar winner informed the gang.
Qatari Government Bans LGBTQ Armbands For All World Cup Soccer Players As Human Rights Violations Take Center Stage
The authorities of Qatar took a number of measures to ban armbands supporting the LGBTQ “OneLove” marketing campaign. According to FIFA, gamers sporting such armbands could be given a yellow card.
Qatar additionally banned the consumption of meat merchandise and beer, two days earlier than the matches have been set to kick off.
The state of human rights in Qatar has remained an ongoing concern for a number of non-governmental organizations, particularly Human Rights Watch, which reported in 2012 that lots of of 1000’s of largely South Asian migrant staff in development within the nation threat critical exploitation and abuse, generally amounting to compelled labour.
The National Human Rights Committee was established in 2002 to research such human rights abuses.
Fans Take To Social Media To Express Disgust With Morgan Freeman’s Presence At The Country’s Opening Ceremony
And followers have been fast to excoriate Freeman for taking part within the nation’s opening ceremony.
Who is Ghanim Al Muftah, the Qatari icon who shared the stage with Morgan Freeman?
Thread 🧵 pic.twitter.com/Z2mf2JbAg9
— Delali Phrank Awutey (@delaliphrank) November 21, 2022
“For a man who played Nelson Mandela — who knew better than anyone the impact and importance of isolation on a country and its success on the ground to change that nation’s policy,” tweeted one offended fan. “It is so disappointing to see #MorganFreeman take the money and support an oppressive regime.”
Another individual tweeted “Morgan Freeman is really determined to go to the deepest level of hell huh”
“Qatar out there with Morgan Freeman spitting words like unity/inclusion in an effort to promote tourism, and then not practicing it,” a 3rd commented. “For all the ‘their country their rules’ crowd out there, sure. But then they don’t get to lie bout what they’re really about just for a cash grab.”
For a person who performed Nelson Mandela – who knew higher than anybody the influence & significance of isolation on a rustic & its success on the bottom to alter that nation’s coverage – it’s so disappointing to see #MorganFreeman take the cash & help an oppressive regime😥 #Gutted
— Gary Webster (@ActualGaryWebster) November 20, 2022
“Morgan Freeman should be ashamed. How much they pay you? How much is your integrity? Never rise your voice to talk about of minorities. You just lost that privilege,” blasted one other commenter.
Human Rights Issues Cause Other Celebs, Performers To Drop Out Of World Cup Appearances
The ongoing controversy plaguing the World Cup host nation has seen a number of celebrities again out of commitments, together with Shakira and Dua Lipa.
Freeman didn’t instantly reply to the New York Post‘s request for remark.